Mixed emotions – that’s definitely the way I feel about this quilt and the whole experience surrounding it.
Here’s a short summary of how it happened.
Spring of 2011 I was asked by Martingale Publishers to contribute to a book on modern quilting with quilts designed by a variety of bloggers.
Here is the design I submitted. My original idea was to make an improv ‘tree’ quilt. The trees would be various bright colors, and the background would be scrappy fabrics with light values.
And here are the fabric swatches I submitted as my color ideas.
This design was accepted so I spent a few weeks making the quilt.
My camera states that I took the photo on June 12, 2011. I’m assuming that’s the right date! I drew up instructions and sent the quilt off. If you compare my original drawing with this quilt, you will see that I abandoned the tree trunks, deciding to keep it as a more abstract idea of trees. I think I just liked the look of it better, but it would still look cute with trunks added on.
Add a year and a half worth of time, and a few other thoughts and happenings which I won’t go into:) and now it’s part of a book that you can purchase!
In all honesty, I don’t think I’ll do this again. I learned that contributing or authoring a book is not my happy place… In the end though, I still like my quilt although I haven’t seen it for a year and a half!
I hope to soon be receiving a few copies of this book in the mail, and then maybe you’ll hear some more of my thoughts on the book itself, as well as a chance for you to get one! Although I have viewed a pdf version, it will be interesting to see it in real life…
Edited to add: I want to always be honest yet positive at the same time, which can sometimes be a little tricky!! I just want to make it clear that any negative feelings that I had about this project were not the fault of the publisher, and for sure not my fellow bloggers/contributors. Rather, it’s one those things that just was not a perfect fit for me. Hope that makes sense…
You did a really great job! Being honest about your feeling is what I love about you the most. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am glad you gave it a try and now you know.
your quilt is so amazing!!! I just love everything about it. Sorry to hear you had such a mixed experience contributing to the book.
I love the quilt! Sadly the experience didn't play out the way you'd hoped! I will be interested in your review of the book also.
Oh, your quilt is absolutely gorgeous! The idea is fantastic and you have executed it brilliantly. I'm sorry that your experience contributing to the book wasn't great – but thank you for sharing your thoughts. I would love to know what happened, and I think the lessons you learned could be useful for others looking to get a pattern published. At the same time, I totally respect it if you feel like you have said enough already – and I'm glad the experience didn't totally put you off sharing your lovely quilts with us.
We just got your book into the shoppe where I work today! It's coming home with me tonight. So nice to put a face to the amazing woman behind this blog ; )
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Oh I'm so glad you had "mixed" feelings too…I'm cranky about the whole experience…especially the promoting part! 🙂 Love your quilt though..it's my favorite in the book!
I am getting your message loud and clear. I think this quilt is lovely and creative and looks remarkably like your original drawing. I suppose the loss of the trunks could be considered significant to some; but as someone who really loves your quilts, I am confident this design and your participation is a real asset to the book.
I just adore your finished quilt…the patterns, the colorway selection, the quilting…it's fantastic! And, the best thing is that it's fresh and creative and not like anything else I've seen! Congratulations and good job, despite your misgivings, one can see your creativity and wonderful use of color shining through!
It turned out beautifully, Jolene. You know, we still owe each other a Skype!
Your quilt is absolutely beautiful. Sorry to hear your experience was not the best contributing to this book. I can't wait to get a copy it looks like a very interesting book.
LOL, I'm glad to see I'm not alone in having "mixed feelings" about this book. The contributing part went fine for me, and it's very exciting to be in a book, but I agree with Allison that I'm not exactly thrilled about the promotional aspect of it! Your quilt is beautiful though – definitely one of my favorites in the book.
It is so beautiful and I love it even more without the trunks! I plan to get this book and I'm excited to see your quilt in print, along with the others! I haven't found contributing a project to be published in a book to be a good fit for me yet, as well. I have backed out of several opportunities in the last few months for several different reasons. I have a few more opportunities in the works and I am really hoping those feel right and work out! 🙂
I really love your quilt and the colors you used. So pretty.
Your quilt has a special story and I love that you took pictures of it on my birthday!
i love it. i really like the scrappy low volume back ground. i do know the feeling of getting done with all the hard work of a quilt and not being in love with it. but, naturally, others always love them. 🙂 i'm really excited about the book… can't wait to get a copy.
I think the quilt is great. Your right, being honest and positive is tricky at times, but you get an A+:)
I love your quilt design! And with many complaining that bloggers can be a little fake at times, glossing over things to highlight only the great things in life, it is refreshing and really interesting to hear what you had to say. It is easy to think that all things publishing is glamorous. And that being honoured to have your quilt included doesn't automatically make it a positive experience. So, now I won't feel so down on myself having thus far never been asked by a publisher for a contribution (lack of talent aside!!)xxx
Love this! Honestly, I hadn't noticed it on the cover, but it is definitely my favourite of the quilts I have seen from the book.
Writing a book is certainly not for everyone. and contributing to one is a whole other ball game! Done both and I certainly have my preferences. But you did it and you know now. And you have a great quilt back at the end of it, no matter what.
Love the bright colors!!!
I love your quilt, it has a modern and old fashioned look at the same time!
I love this quilt so hard 😉 Just awesome!
This is a lovely quilt. And not everything you do in life, even if it's a dream you may have had at some point, always turns out the way you had envisioned. Congrats on the final product though.
I think it is stunning.
After seeing the beautiful end product, I will definately keep my eyes out for this book. While ths may have not been a perfect fit, it is something trialed.
What a perfect quilt. And your thoughts about contributing do make sense. I like your honest opinion.
Lovely quilt! (I like the one that looks similar elsewhere in the blogiverse as well.)
I'm curious which quilt you're thinking of. Do you mind sharing?
Your quilt is so lovely. It has an effortless vintage-y feel to it that is so you!! I like that yoi shared your thought process with us.
And i understand your reservations about the whole publishing process! I've been there too. But we who admire your work are happy for you. Your work does deserve to be in a book! Every quilt tells a story and this is just part of ITS story!
Beautiful quilt and I admire and appreciate honesty – it is often lacking on the internet!
I so love this Quilt….it's one of the reasons I really would love to own the book…fell in love with it at once!
Thinking of buying the e book! But on the other hand…a book to page through is so much nicer…
Well done on the quilt!:0)
How very cool to be 'published'! I am so very proud of you Jo!
Having said that I do think I understand the 'pressure' it would put on you and why you did not enjoy the process. (Not that I have been there but I can imagine!!! But please, don't let that stop you from having another go at another time. Remember how you have been encouraged from others through their books. You too encourage and inspire so many people through your blogging and will through being published! You have much to offer the many quilters around the country!
You are so incredibly honest and I love that! Thank you!
Sometimes I think of it this way: Bringing anything to life, babies included, takes a huge effort. It often has side effects we don't desire. It often takes more discipline than anyone would like to admit. Nothing really is effortless. Especially the first time. And no one is required to do it more than once.
It is easy to to search for inspiration from others. It takes strength to be that inspiration for others. Remember: we are not here just for ourselves! Thank-you for your inspirations and honesty.
I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this experience but at least you tried it and found out. But I, on the other hand, would like to tell you that because Christmas isn't my holiday I never make anything Christmassy but would do make this quilt because I really love it. So I'm happy you contributed to this book. In fact your contribution alone makes me want it.
Love this idea, its a beautiful quilt!
Love this quilt!
I was just about to leave my comment when my box of books showed up from the mailman. 😉
Your quilt is gorgeous. I never make quilts from patterns, but I am planning to do this one. I love that it's very "you," and I think it's very unique. I saw the comment on Rossie's blog that compares yours to another quilt by Ashley, and I don't see many similarities at all really. Let's face it, every quilt has elements to it that we see in other things. Certain trends like triangles and mixed neutrals are hitting their peak right now. It's just how it goes. Frustrating? Yes! Especially with the long time period it takes to have a book published.
I also think it's easy for people to pick apart quilting books too when they don't realize the process behind it. I'm waiting for the negative comments to roll in about my quilt since I quilted it myself in the throws of morning sickness and did a pathetic job. But I'm hoping I can let them roll of my back and be proud of being a part of this collaboration, and I hope you can too. ((hugs))
I can't wait to get my books in the mail and have a good look at it. Yours is the one that caught my eye first and I really want to make it.
Negative comments about your work is something that I can't imagine getting used to and they make me stop and want to crawl into a little hole.
As everyone else has said I don't think people realise just how long this whole process takes.
I walked through this publishers booth at market and this quilt made me stop! It's pretty awesome and for sure a highlight in their booth! Sorry your experience wasnt as lovely as your work. Selfishly though, I hope you reconsider contributing in the future 🙂
I love everything about this quilt. It's wonderful, the colours, the abstract trees, everything about it really. I would be keen to see more of the book — but especially your quilt in it!
Just to let you know, a friend and I both bought this book at our LQS last week. Yours was the one that really stood out to us (although Knots is a very close second). My friend is planning it in civil war fabrics.
Congratulations! Even though you didn't enjoy the process, to have a quilt published in a book is a major achievement. And you've learnt from the experience! Well done you. Looking forward to seeing the book.
I grabbed some random books off the "new" shelf at the library for a Christmas road trip. I loved it and hope to buy one for myself soon!
First, the quilt is gorgeous. You have such a great style. Always!
Second, I have no idea what the terms were with regard to your contribution to the book, but I will say from my limited experience with contributing to books, that the experience was a let-down for me. In once example, I was annoyed at myself for agreeing to do it with very little compensation. That and I didn't love the final product so I wasn't feeling super proud to be in the publication. Live and learn, right?
Finally, thank you for linking to me from your blog. I need to update my website to include yours.
xo
My copy of this book arrived in the mail from Amazon the other day. I really love it, and my favourite quilt in the book is yours – I keep being drawn back to look at it. I love all the fabrics you've used, and I think my absolute favourite is the little Heather Ross circus tent. It's a gorgeous quilt. It's a shame your book-experience wasn't an overall positive experience, especially when it's involved something you've created and have an emotional attachment to.
thanks for sharing your lovely pics of the quilt, and your honesty in your book-experience. Catherine
It is such a beautiful quilt. Reminds me of why I love neutrals so much.
I saw this quilt months ago at my local quilt shop (they made it and displayed it along with the book) and it just spoke to me! I bought most of the fabric for it almost right away, then I got caught up with Christmas gift sewing. I'm in the middle of putting the top together right now. I spent all day yesterday on it! I looked up this page for inspiration on the scrappy piecing between the tree blocks. I hate that you had a tough time with the book process…but I wanted to let you know that your are inspiring and creative and amazing! I can't wait to share pictures on Flickr of my finished quilt!